Do What You Can Because You Can

As I sat in my daughters middle school cafeteria chatting with her and her friends I couldn't help but stare at the cafeterias trash cans. YES! Trash cans. I know you are probably thinking ... girl, what in the world are you talking about? But I promise I am going somewhere so stay with me!

 

Her school is a charter school and rely's heavily on parent donations and involvement. It is also only in its second year of being a open, fully operating school. They didn't get a fancy new building with all the bells and whistles. No, they took over a closed down elementary school that had been around for ages! Most of their money went to things like new desks, technology for the students and other items to enhance their education.

 

Lets be honest, trash cans are really not that important. But, these trash cans were abnormally small. Like... really... small. Most wouldn't have thought twice about it, but I couldn't help but see that there was a problem and I also knew that there was a solution. The solution? Bigger trash cans! As I sat there I knew this was a problem I could fix but really battled with myself on whether I should step up or if I should mind my own business.

 

However, I made the decision after lunch to approach the principal about the issue and my thoughts. I offered to purchase the lunch room new, larger trashcans with wheels to push them around. I immediately left, headed over to Lowes and picked up 5 32 gallon trashcans and the circle wheels to go with. As I drove back to the school and dropped them off I still cringed inside... what will people think?

 

Then I heard "Do what you can, because you can!"

 

In that moment it all made sense. Whether its money, or time, or a skill. We all should do what we can, because we can. We all should step up where we can, when it is needed because we are blessed with the ability to do so.

 

So often I back down and steer away from inserting myself into things when I am not asked. This happens a lot when I am the grocery store! I overhear someone looking for something and I happen to know right where it is, I used to be someone who would say "Hey! I can help with that!" but more recently have started to stop myself. Choosing to mind my own business rather than allowing myself to be someone elses blessing. Lord knows one day I will need a blessing too and I certainly hope that person isn't stopping themselves out of fear of judgement.

 

The reality is I battle with myself because the last thing I want is for people to judge me negatively based on what I perceive as being a good deed. I am criticized often on my giving. "Was that necessary?" "You only want attention." But for me... it IS necessary! and NO I don't want the attention. It is not about me. It's about God, it's about what is right. It's about blessing others. It has always been who I have been. I think so often we all become so afraid of what others will think. We are afraid to put ourselves out there. We are afraid to give, because people will think we are being self-righteous.

 

I do not tell you this story as a way to boast, I tell you this story in hopes to inspire others to step up. To let others know that it is our place to help others when we have the ability to do so. To tell others to do what we can, because we can! In hopes of starting a movement! A movement that will teach our sons and daughters to be givers. A movement that will encourage others to step into who they were meant to be. To share their gifts and bless others!